Cognitive-behavioral therapy for late-life generalized anxiety disorder: Who gets better?

Authors

Julie Loebach Wetherell, University of California, San Diego
Derek R. Hopko, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Gretchen J. Diefenbach, Hartford Hospital
Patricia M. Averill, University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonFollow
J. Gayle Beck, University at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkFollow
Michelle G. Craske, University of California, Los Angeles
Margaret Gatz, University of Southern California
Diane M. Novy, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Abstract

The authors pooled data from three independently conducted treatment outcome studies to examine predictors of outcome from group-administered cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for older adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Data were collected from 65 patients with a mean age of 67.7 years (SD = 6.6). Average reliable change indices (RCI) based on 3 outcome measures were calculated at posttreatment and at 6-month follow-up. Approximately half of patients achieved a significant RCI at posttreatment and two-thirds achieved a significant RCI at follow-up. Factors associated with better outcomes included better homework adherence, higher baseline GAD severity, and presence of a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis. Results suggest that at-home practice is associated with better and longer-lasting outcomes from CBT in older adults with GAD. © 2005 the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. All rights reserved.

Publication Title

Behavior Therapy

Recommended Citation

Wetherell, J., Hopko, D., Diefenbach, G., Averill, P., Beck, J., Craske, M., Gatz, M., & Novy, D. (2005). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for late-life generalized anxiety disorder: Who gets better?. Behavior Therapy, 36 (2), 147-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(05)80063-2